DIVE'S KIT REVIEWS
The staff at DIVE Magazine has collectively made more than 10,000 dives between them, over a combined total of more than 100 years' worth of diving. We've encountered a lot of different gear along the way, and our writers have put some of their expert opinion into these pages.
DEEPBLU COSMIQ+ DIVE COMPUTER
'The dive computer for the iPhone generation', according to Max James, who spent two weeks diving with one and enjoyed both its ease of use and comprehensive display. Get the lowdown on the smartphone programmable dive computer that's bringing scuba diving up to date with the latest in smart technology.
OMS IQ-LITE TRAVELWING
OMS is well known as a manufacturer of highly-regarded equipment for technical divers. The OMS IQ-Lite takes all of that technical expertise and packages it into an excellent, lightweight travel option for recreational diving. Our non-technical Senior Correspondent took one on a liveaboard and liked it so much that his own BCD never even got wet. Check out his review to find out why.
SCUBAPRO MK11/C370
Scubapro's MK11 first stage and C370 second stage form the least expensive combo on offer from the German manufacturer. But does low price equal low performance? Mark 'Crowley' Russell fins out in this d.
ATOMIC X1 BLADEFINS
The Atomic Aquatics X1 Bladefin has been around for a while now, but we've not had the opportunity to test a set. Mark 'Crowley' Russell took the fins to Indonesia with him - and found them much stiffer than the floppy fins he's been using for so many years. Take a look at the review to find out if enjoyed diving with the the powerful, agile X1 Bladefin.
SCUBAPRO G2 DIVE COMPUTER
Scubapro's Galileo Sol was a game-changer for dive computers with its ability to monitor heart rate and body temperature and factor those in to the decompression profile. With the release of the all new G2, Scubapro have produced a brand new - but very familiar - new computer, the G2, featuring the best of the Galileo, with updated tech and a colour screen. DIVE took one out for a test dive recently, check the review to see what we thought...
SUUNTO EON CORE DIVE COMPUTER
Suunto's new colour dive computer is customisable from entry level to technical, with a large screen but a lightweight, compact design. Mark 'Crowley' Russell liked it 60 seconds after pushing its buttons during the product launch. Read his review to see if it pushed his buttons after he took it diving for a week.
SCUBAPRO HYDROS PRO BCD
Scubapro's award-winning Hydros Pro has been touted as a 'game-changer' for divers. Mark 'Crowley' Russell took one with him on a recent press trip to see if lived up to the hype.
Have a read of DIVE's review of the customisable hybrid / wing design to see if his game really did change...
AQUA LUNG LEGEND REGULATOR
There are Legends, and then there are Leg-Ends. Our Senior Correspondent might be the latter, but his 15 year old, many-thousand dive regulators are most definitely the former, and not just by name. Jacques Cousteau is the forefather of the Aqua Lung Legend; Crowley just happened to use them for more than 2,000 dives as an instructor and guide in the Red Sea and Indonesia.
We think he'd like to be a legend, but his regulators really are exactly that.
MARES VOLO POWER FINS
Some dive equipment becomes more like family than just gear for use underwater. Mark 'Crowley' Russell loved these fins so much that after his 2,000+ dive with a pair of Mares Volo Power fins he finally moved them on to the great dive site in the sky - he then went straight out and bought another set....
AP DIVING COMMANDO ESCAPE
Got a long way to go and want to beat the excess baggage fees but still want a BCD that feels as robust as the full monty? Mark 'Crowley' Russell takes an AP Commando Escape on the long haul to St Helena
SUUNTO ZOOP NOVO
Dive computers used to be simple, expensive and exclusive. Now there's so many out there it's difficult to know where to start looking, especially if you're new to the market. Fortunately, Magnus Larsson, long-term instructor and photographer at Scuba Fish Koh Lanta, is here to help us out with his in-depth review of the Suunto Zoop Novo.
SCUBAPRO GO TRAVEL BCD
Things to do, places to go, people to see, dive sites to dive - and the Scubapro Go is only 2.5kg in weight so you can bring it with you to do all of those things. It's very light, as Crowley explains....
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